Robert Swartwood is running a promotion on his e-book “The Dishonored Dead,” so for a few days you can download the book for free! I reviewed this book a while back and liked it so much I interviewed the author, and am still begging him for more regarding the concept. This book is worth buying, but pick it up for free for the next few days. You won’t be disappointed. I remember the book kept me on edge and turning pages the entire way through – the concept of zombie/human reversal is fresh and unique to the genre. The image at right links to the download at the US Kindle store; UK link is here.

Imagine you’re a researcher sequestered on an island in the Indian Ocean, tasked with performing autopsies on captured zombies. With most of the world devastated by the apocalypse, humanity’s only hope lies with you and your team coming up with answers – something that might turn the future into one that gives the world a chance at survival. Also imagine that you know you’ll probably get infected and die doing it, so you pull out all the stops and stop at nothing to find answers.

The Zombie Autopsies is a journal of the work of one Dr. Blum, the researcher you just imagined. It’s a hand-written journal, complete with pictures and gory details of the autopsies and experiments that were performed on the island. The journal takes you inside Dr. Blum’s head as he performs the autopsies on living zombies restrained on gurneys and held in cages. If you are a serious zombie fan, you’ll want to read this book…if you are a zombie newbie or just curious about zombies you probably won’t enjoy the book – it’s not an adventure book or a book to learn about zombies – this is a hard-core, gory zombie dissection manual.

December was a busy month for gun purchasers, setting a record for monthy FBI background checks, topping a record just set from November sales. CNN has an article about the increase, but the reporter and the FBI seemed baffled by the increase. It’s pretty obvious to me – Americans are concerned about the coming zombie apocalypse, and want to be prepared. This is good news – our chances are a lot better when we’re prepared. The article states that “FBI officials did not offer a theory on the spike in gun sales,” but the NRA said “people feel they need guns for self defense.” OK, so maybe the FBI isn’t baffled by the increase – they’re just not offering an explanation – guess they don’t to panic the masses by mentioning the zombie apocalypse.

Yakuza Dead Souls is coming to the PlayStation 3 in March of next year. You can play 4 characters, and there are two new guys to play: Goro Majima and Ryuji Goda. The undead are taking over the streets of Tokyo’s porn district, creating a city of terror, panic and devastation. Good luck to the Zombies – I wouldn’t want the Yakuza after me.

Missouri’s Conservation department has named it’s newest “invasive species” – Zombies! That’s right, they have a new web page up called Flesh Afield, where they inform you about this latest threat to the environment. From the site:

While zombie management is largely left to the police, military and health agencies, conservation plays a role in protecting Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife resources–and Missourians–from this invasive species.

You’ll find tips on zombie identification, zombie hunger and habitat, tree stand safety, and even helpful tips for hunters, anglers, foresters and other woodsmen. Heck, it even mentions that in the fall gigging season, a gig makes a great zombie weapon. (I would opt for the gig without barbs – don’t want to have problems getting their head off the gig.Also, make sure you go with a solid steel handle for maximum durability.

Last night, the vehicle navigation and emergency company, OnStar, was out to help you locate monsters, whether it be zombies, vampires, werewolves, ghosts or even witches. A simple press of the OnStar blue button lets you report a zombie or ask where the closest one is so you can run it down. Some folks must have been so panicked that they pressed the red emergency button instead. Check out the map below for details.

Zombies are on the rise – the rise of popularity and dollars. With more movies, books, video games, and conventions arriving every day, it doesn’t seem like we are near the peak of this apocalyptic horror, and indeed msnbc doesn’t think so. Their article states that the estimated worth of the zombie genre and culture is five billion dollars and rising.

The article mentions the research that came up with the estimate, and broke it down into several categories, each with their own dollar amount:

These numbers seem crazy high to me, but the authors feel that if anything the numbers are greatly underestimated. Measurements are difficult, if not impossible in some of the categories, so it’s hard to tell, but whatever the number is, it is on the rise like the zombies.

The Monterey Zombie Walk 2011 was a huge success and a lot of fun. Zombies shambled through the Farmers Market in downtown Monterey, shaking up the shoppers and threatening to eat their brains. I was able to get some pictures of the walkers and a video of the zombies as they left their bloody mark on downtown Monterey.

The CDC is at it again, getting us prepared for the zombie apocalypse. This time, they have released a free comic book download called Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic. It’s a story of a couple and their dog as they realize the zombie apocalypse has happened and they make their way to a shelter that is soon overrun with zombies. At the end of the story, there is a checklist of items to have on hand to deal with any type of disaster or emergency. Even though the book is 40 pages, you can read it in a handful of minutes – there isn’t that much content and it isn’t the most compelling story – but it’s fun and the artwork is great. From the CDC’s website:

“CDC has a fun new way of teaching the importance of emergency preparedness. Our new graphic novel, “Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic” demonstrates the importance of being prepared in an entertaining way that people of all ages will enjoy. Readers follow Todd, Julie, and their dog Max as a strange new disease begins spreading, turning ordinary people into zombies.”